The Zookeeper’s Wife features stylish sets taking inspiration from the animal residents of the Warsaw zoo.
Seeing The Zookeeper’s Wife recently brought out two very different emotions. The first being the expected grief from the horror depicted on the screen directed towards not just humans but also animals. Contradictory to the first, the second emotion I felt while watching the movie was excitement over the interiors of the recreated Żabiński house located on the zoo’s grounds.
A clever mix of pattern creates a cosmopolitan ambience within the home.
The living room is papered in a sophisticated yellow and black pattern while the woodwork is painted black. Moroccan black embroidered upholstery introduces a touch of Africa, the home of many of the zoo animals, while zigzag striped curtains subtly reference zebra and tiger hides. Unfortunately, I was unable to find good pictures of the interiors online but you can see a glimpse and then go see the movie. It is excellent.
Jessica Chastain as Antonina Żabiński welcoming their guests into the living room. (Photo: The Zookeeper’s Wife)
An unpleasant scene in The Zookeeper’s Wife which depicts more of the beautiful living room wallpaper.
The striped curtains are vaguely seen in the background of this living room still.
Guy Goodfellow produces fabrics that look very similar to those in the movie’s living room.
Fez weave from Guy Goodfellow Collection is available through Jasper. (Photo: Guy Goodfellow Collection)
Similar to the curtain fabric seen in The Zookeeper’s Wife. (Photo: Guy Goodfellow Collection)
Handmade decorative touches represent the abundant love within the house.
Another space that was beautiful, yet in a very different way, was the basement. The wall below the stairs is covered in Moroccan sea green tiles. The worktable along the tiled wall is painted a similar shade with crookneck task lights illuminating the work surface. The basement is the location in the movie where the Żabiński’s hide the hunted Jews. During their ordeal some draw part human, part animal sketches on the wall along with gold Jewish stars.
Whimsical murals drawn on the basement walls by the hidden guests. (Photo: The Zookeeper’s Wife)
Beautiful sea green zellige tiles from Mosaic House, New York. (Photo: Mosaic House)
Casa V Interiors can bring cultivated design to your home.